Twist as DAP-K Deputy Leader Endorses UDA Candidate for Malava By-Election
In a surprising development ahead of the Malava parliamentary by-election, Ayub Savula, Deputy Governor of Kakamega County and Deputy Party Leader of the Democratic Alliance Party-Kenya (DAP-K), has endorsed United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa.
The endorsement, confirmed by UDA on Monday, comes barely three weeks before voters go to the polls on November 27. Ndakwa is contesting against DAP-K’s Seth Panyako, with the race now seeing unexpected realignments.
“In a major political shift, Kakamega County Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has officially endorsed Hon. David Ndakwa for the Malava Constituency seat,” UDA said in a statement. “This endorsement marks a significant realignment in Kakamega politics, as leaders rally behind Ndakwa’s unifying and development-focused agenda.”
The Malava race has been marked by cross-party endorsements and withdrawals. Recently, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, elected on a UDA ticket, publicly supported Panyako. Khalwale explained that his decision was a response to President William Ruto’s administration failing to award a parliamentary ticket to Ryan Injendi, son of the late Malava MP Malulu Injendi, despite doing so for other families of deceased politicians.
“President, when Malulu died, Baringo Senator Cheptumo also passed away, and Migori’s Dalmas Otieno died as well. For both, you gave Cheptumo’s widow a Ministry and Dalmas’ wife a state job, but for Malulu, you did not remember the wife or the son,” Khalwale said.
In addition, several opposition-allied candidates have withdrawn to consolidate support for Panyako. On Monday, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate Joab Burudi Manyasi pulled out, describing the move as a unanimous decision to back a local candidate. Edgar Busiega of the Democracy for Citizens’ Party (DCP) had also exited the race earlier.
The shifts signal a volatile political landscape in Kakamega, with party loyalties tested and local alliances gaining prominence as the November 27 by-election approaches.
Also Read: New Local Content Bill Targets 80% Kenyan Workforce in Foreign Companies
Twist as DAP-K Deputy Leader Endorses UDA Candidate for Malava By-Election